General Information about about Ethiopia by Green valley Ethiopia tours

General Information about Ethiopia by Green valley Ethiopia tours

Full Name of the Country: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Capital City

Addis Ababa

Land

Ethiopia covers an area of 1.14 million square kilometers (944,000 square miles).

Climate

There are two major seasons: the dry season prevails from October through May; the wet season runs from June to September.

Topography

Ethiopia has an elevated central plateau varying in height between 2,000 and 3,000 meters. In the north and centre of the country there are some 25 mountains whose peaks rise over 4,000 meters. The most famous Ethiopian river is the Blue Nile (or Abay), which runs a distance of 1,450 kilometers from the source in Lake Tana, to join the White Nile at Khartoum.

Economy

About 85 per cent of the population earns living from the land, mainly as subsistence farmers. Agriculture is the backbone of the national economy and the principal exports from this sector are coffee, oil seeds, pulses, flowers, vegetables, sugar and foodstuffs for animals. There is also a thriving livestock sector, exporting cattle on the hoof, hides and skins.

Language

Ethiopia is a multi-ethnic state with a great variety of languages spoken in the country, of which there are 83 with 200 dialects. Amharic is the working language of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia while Oromigna, Tigrigna and Guragina are widely spoken. Moreover, English, Italian, French and Arabic are widely spoken in the spheres of commerce and education.

Religion

Major religions in the country are Christianity and Islam.

Internet

Internet domain or country code suffix .et Numerous internet cafes are available in Addis Ababa and in other cities.

Electric supply

Ethiopia uses 220 volts 50 cycles AC.

Telephone

International dialing code: +251

Time

Ethiopia is in the GMT + 3 hours time zone. Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar.

People

The population is estimated at 83.1 million (UN 2007)

Main Exports

Coffee, hides, oil seeds, beeswax, meat, sugarcane, and flowers.

Excursions

Excursions within Ethiopia, whether for a day or for a month, may be organized for you by any of the travel agencies or by the National Tour Operation.

Clothing

In general between seasons clothes are appropriate. At higher altitudes, woolen clothes or a coat are needed in the evenings. Travelers should take rain coat or other rainwear, particularly when visiting the country during the period from February to October. It is usually possible to have clothes laundered at or near hotels within a short period of time (frequently services are offered 24 hours a day).

Hotels

Addis Ababa has hotels that cater for all pockets, from the luxurious Sheraton and Hilton hotels to the tourist-class hotels such as the Ghion, the Ethiopia and the Wabi Shebelle. All tourist resorts offer a choice of modern hotels.

Banking Hours

Banking hours are usually from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm from Monday to Friday and from 8:00 am – 11:00 am on Saturdays. Closing times may be an hour longer in some private banks. Most banks work through lunchtime; however foreign exchange services are closed during lunch hours (12:00 noon – 1:00 pm).

Shopping Hours

Shops are open Monday to Friday 8:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-very flexible, often longer opening hours; some shops are also open on Saturday. These days a few supermarkets and beauty salons in the capital are working 24 hours.

Communications

Telephone, fax and Internet access is available in Addis Ababa in most hotels, at the Ethiopian Telecommunications Authority main office and at private Internet service centers situated around the city.

Courier and Money Transfer Services

Money transfers can be made through Western Union and Money Gram. Both have representative branches in Addis Ababa and also make their services available from private and national banks.

Four courier service providers DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT and EMS have offices in Addis Ababa.

Currency

The local currency is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB), made up of 100 cents. Birr notes are available in denominations of 5, 10, 50 and 100. Visitors may import an unlimited amount of foreign currency but this must be declared on arrival to the customs authorities on the appropriate blue-colored form.

Foreign currency may only be exchanged at authorized banks and hotels, and a receipt must be obtained. The currency declaration form must be retained as this will be required by customs on departure. Visitors may change back any surplus Ethiopian Birr to cash at the airport before departure.

In addition to any Ethiopian Birr, along with the currency exchange form you must bring with you all receipts for exchange transactions.

Currency Importing:

Local currency (ETB) up to ETB 12.00 per person. Foreign currencies unlimited, provided declaration is made to the customs on arrival.

Currency Exporting:

Allowed; local currency (ETB), provided passengers holds a re-entry permit ETB 10.00 per person. Foreign currencies up to the amounts imported and declared.

Public Holidays

Sunday is the weekly day of rest.

Public holidays are celebrated according to the Ethiopian (Julian) Calendar which consists of twelve months of thirty days each and a thirteenth month of five days (six days in leap year). The calendar is seven years behind the Western or Gregorian Calendar, with New Year falling in the month of September. September 11 Ethiopian New Year September 26 The finding of the True Cross (Meskal) October 2 Id ul Fitr (Ramadhan) December 9 Id ul Ahda (Sacrifice) January 8 Ethiopian Christmas January 20 Ethiopian Epiphany March 2 Victory of Adwa March 20 Birth of Prophet Mohammed (Mauwlid) April 25 Ethiopian Good Friday April 27 Ethiopian Easter May 1 International Labour Day May 5 Ethiopian patriots’ victory day May 28 Downfall of the Dergue Regime

*The holidays of Id al Fater and Id al Adaha and the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.) are subject to moon sighting.

Visitors may export souvenirs, although some articles (such as animal skin and antiques) require an export permit.

Health requirements

Prior to entry, visitors should be in possession of a valid health certificate for yellow fever. Vaccination against cholera is also required for any person who has visited or transited a cholera-infected area within six days prior to arrival in Ethiopia.

Visa and immigration requirements:

Visa applications may be obtained at Ethiopia’s diplomatic missions overseas. However, nationals of 35 countries are now allowed to receive their tourist visas on arrival in Ethiopia at the regular charge.

The New Bole International Airport is situated 8 kilometers from the centre of the city (a 15 minute drive under normal conditions). Paid parking, luggage carts and uniformed porters are available at the airport terminal.

Taxis are readily available. The Green valley Tour Operator (GVT) has yellow Mercedes sedans which can be ordered at their airport desk. The rates for these taxis are fixed and receipts will be given if requested. Privately-owned blue cabs and yellow cabs are also in abundance, but do not have fixed rates; establishing their fare is advisable before getting into the vehicle.

Foreign exchange service is available at the arrivals lounge.

Security at the airport is tight and travelers need to produce their air ticket and passport to enter the terminal building. All other visitors are required to pay a fee of two Ethiopian Birr at the booths located in the parking lot and need to show identification cards at the guard post.

Green valley Ethiopia tours Customer CommitmentGreen valley Ethiopian tour intends to ensure that your travel experience will encompass to the best of our ability, the most comprehensive customer service possible. The commitment below explains our policies in a clear, consistent and understandable fashion. Ethiopian has detailed training programs and system enhancements to support our employees in meeting these commitments.1. Offer lowest fare package tour

Green valley tour Ethiopian offers lowest fare available for which you are eligible for the date, tour package tour , and class of service on our website www.ethiopiagreentour.com or when you call Ethiopian’s telephone reservation system to inquire about a fare or make a reservation; at Tour counters; or at city ticket offices.

2. Notify customers of known delays , cancellations and diversions

Ethiopian works hard to get you to your destination on time, as scheduled. There may be times when weather, air traffic control, operational or service considerations lead to tour delays, cancellations or diversions. When this happens Ethiopian will notify you, known delays, cancellations, and diversions within 30 minutes of becoming aware of a change in the status of a flight (cancellation, delay, or diversion).

o Explain the reason for the delay(if known), cancellation or diversion based on the information that we have; o Update the information displayed at airport gates to show flight status; and o Make information on known delays, cancellations, and diversions available on Ethiopian website, at the boarding gate for a flight at U.S. airport, by airport display boards, through Ethiopian reservation office, through your mobile phones and/or SMS/e-mail addresses or on www.ethiopiagreentour.com. 3. without payment for a certain period after booking

When you book your flight through Ethiopian telephone reservation, airport ticket counters, or at any of the city ticket offices, or our website: www.ethiopianairlines.com, Ethiopian will hold the reservations at the quoted fare without payment, or cancelled without payment, for at least 24 hours after the reservation is made if the reservation is made one week or more prior to a flights departure date.

4. Provide prompt ticket refunds

Ethiopian will provide prompt refunds where due for eligible tickets once we receive your request accompanied by any required documentation. When refunds are due Ethiopian will process requests in a timely manner and refund the purchase price, less any applicable service fee to the original form of payment. You may seek a refund by sending a written request to Ethiopian Airlines, customer refund service, 277 S Washington st ., suite 120, Alexandria VA 22 314 or Ethiopian ticketing facility. Requests may also be made via email through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or through your travel agents.

If you used a credit card to make your purchase we will submit the request for a refund to your credit card issuer within 7 business days of receiving your completed request for refund. The credit card issuer will refund the purchase price under the terms of the credit card agreement; your credit card statement may not immediately reflect the refund. For purchases made with cash, check or other forms of payment, Ethiopian will issue your refund within 10 business days of receipt of your completed request for refund.

Please make sure to provide the passenger’s name, the address, the credit card number used for purchase, ticket number(s), and the date of travel and departure and destination cities in your correspondence.

Ethiopian is dedicated to offering convenient and comfortable service to all our customers. Ethiopian will provide our customers who require additional assistance, including individuals with disabilities and unaccompanied minors, with the attention, respect and care they deserve.

Customers with disabilities

Ethiopian works hard to ensure that our aircrafts and our services are in full compliance with all applicable regulations that our customers’ needs are met and that we do not discriminate against customers on the basis of disability. To ensure the high quality of these services and protection of customer rights, we designate Compliant Resolution Official (CRO) in the airport who is responsible for ensuring services are properly implemented for our customers with disability.

You can ask for assistance when you arrive at the airport if you would like certain accommodations during your travel. There are, however, certain service requests which are required to be made in advance. This notice helps us plan ahead for your safe and comfortable travel. Please check our website www. ethiopiagreentour.com for details. During lengthy tarmac delays, our flight crews will make every effort to properly accommodate customers with disabilities or special needs.

If your travel includes another carrier, please check directly with that carrier for any of your travel needs as different policies and procedures may apply.

Green valley Ethiopia Tour operator is an exclusively inbound Tour operator in Ethiopia and We are one of the prominent tour operator in Ethiopia. Green valley Tour Ethiopia Tour operator concentrating on Tailor made Tours, Individual Tours, Group Tours, Ethnological tours, Photo safaris, Wild life safaris, Bird watching, hiking and Trekking adventures to this land of striking beauty. We promises to give you utmost service with very best reasonable price which will be an expression of appreciation during your stay with Green valley Ethiopia tour.

Tour to Ethiopia Best tour operator Company in Ethiopia ... Green valley tour Ethiopia is loyal tour operator in east Africa wherever you go what ever you like will take you.... contact us This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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